Rescue breathing device



06f 9, 1952 A. J. MCGEE 3,057,347

RESCUE BREATHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 5, 1959 United States Patent O3,057,347 RESCUE BREATHING DEVICE Andrew I. McGee, Dwight, Ill.,assignor to Prescription Drug Co. Inc., Dwight, Ill., a corporation ofIllinois Filed Dec. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 857,095 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-29)This invention relates to a rescue breathing device, and, moreparticularly, to a device which will aid in performing mouth-to-mouthyartificial resuscitation.

Three problems have characterized mouth-to-mouth resuscitation methodsin the past. One problem involves the aspect of contact between themouths of the victim and the resuscitator. Although this may beconsidered prim-arily an esthetic matter, it may, in some cases, proveto be the controlling factor in whether a resuscitation is achieved.Anything short of a complete oral contact may render the resuscitationineffective, with fatal results.

However, even when the problem of oral contact is not present, two otherproblems exist which may frustrate the efforts of the resuscitator. Oneis the common tendency of the victim to swallow his tongue, whicheffectively halts the rescue breathing attempt. The other probleminvolves the tendency of the muscles in the nasalpharynx to contract andthus partially occlude the trachea. These last-mentioned phenomena arecharacteristic of victims of electrocution as well as drowning.

It is :an object of this invention to provide a novel rescue breathingdevice which finds application to the resuscitation of victims throughthe use of the mouthatomouth method.

Another object is to provide a rescue breathing device which iseffective to avoid the problems set forth hereinabove.

Still another object is to provide a rescue breathing device shaped andconstructed to lavoid any undesirable direct contact of the mouths ofthe victim and resuscitator and which additionally positively precludesthe victim from swallowing his tongue and further which effects achannel through any constricted windpipe.

Yet another object is to provide a novel rescue breathing devicearranged and constructed so as to permit the use of the mouth-to-mouthresuscitation method to victims of various ages and sizes.

A further object is to provide la device useful in mouthto-mouthresuscitation which incorporates a novel filter mouthpiece so as torender the same useful in resuscitating Victims subject to drowning.

A still further object is to provide an article of manufacture includinga plurality of rescue breathing devices which permits yapplication of adevice so sized as to properly resuscitate a victim.

Other objects and advantages of this invention ma be seen in the detailsof operation and construction set forth in this specificationhereinafter.

The invention will be described in conjunction with an illustrativeembodiment seen in the accompanying drawing, in which- FIG. l is anelevational view of ta device embodying teachings of the invention yandshown installed in place in the oral cavity of a victim on which themouth-tomouth method of resuscitation is employed, the victim andresuscitator being shown in phantom line;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view partially in section of thedevice of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device seen in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view with walls broken away showing theportion of the device which is equipped with a filter; and

3,057,347 Patented Oct. 9, 1962 ICC FIG. 6 is la perspective view of 1anarticle of manufacture showing a container or package suitably markedand housing a plurality of different sized rescue breathing devicesembodying teachings of this invention.

In the illustration given, the numeral 10l designates generally `arescue breathing device and is seen installed Iin the oral cavity ormouth 11 of a victim 12. The lips of the victim 12 are designated by thenumeral 13, the tongue by the numeral 14, and the hard palate by thenumeral 15.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the pharynx of the victim 12 is designated bythe numeral 16, while the trachea is designated by the numeral 17. Theepiglottis is designated by the numeral 18.

The device 10 is seen to include a straight portion 19 'and an arcuateportion 20, the arcuate portion providing an end proximal to thepharynx.

The arcuate portion 20 is arched longitudinally and is urged by thetongue 14 `against the hard palate 15. The curvature of the device 10 istherefore such as to positively preclude a victim from swallowing histongue, `and further the extreme proximal end 20a is inwardly tapered soas to effect an entry into the nasal-pharynx whether the same isconstricted as in spasm or shock. The distal end 19a of the device 10 isseen to be equipped with a flange 2.1 and, outwardly of the ange, afilter 22.

Preferably, the device 1t)A is constructed of a semirigid, resilientmaterial so as to provide a slight degree of accommodation todifferent-dimensioned throats. Suitable materials of construction forthis purpose are polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, hardened rubber, etc.Especially suited is polyethylene which is resistant to alkalies, acids,and oxygenated solvents. Its low softening point (230 C.) renders itamenable to compression molding. The flange 21 may be adhesively securedto the straight section 19' as at 21a. Further, the flange 21 is seen tobe equipped with a concave inner surface 2lb so as to facilitateoccluding of the victims mouth. The inner face 2lb may be equipped witha pad of resilient material, i.e., foam rubber, etc., so as tofacilitate this occlusion, the pad being designated by the numeral 23.

In the operation of the device just described, the flange 21 acts as aretainer to position the proximal end 20a of the device y'10 just abovethe larynx, the sponge rubber pad 23 aiding in the mouth occlusion.

When the device 10 is used in drawning, the victim is first turned facedownwardly so as to regurgitate any water retained in the respiratorytract. Thereafter, the device 10 is inserted and the mouth of aresuscitator 24 is applied to the distal end 19a of the device 10. Theresuscitator both inhales and exhales with the device firmly in hismouth, there being sufficient oxygen in the exhaled breath to satisfythe breathing requirements of the victim. Thus, the victim gets thebenefit of a positive pressure relative to air entering his lungs.

To make the mouth-to-mouth method workable, it is necessary to close thenasal passages of the victim. Inasmuch as the nasal construction varieswidely, it is desirable -to insure that this is done through thegripping of the victims nose between the fingers 25 of a resuscitator orhis assistant. Thus, the flange 21 is notched as at 26 (see lFIG. 4) soas to provide a free access area for the victims nose and whichfacilitates the grasping thereof by the resuscitator.

During the resuscitation operation, the filter 22 serves to retain anymoisture in the resuscitators exhaled breath and therefore prevents itfrom entering the lungs of the victim. For this purpose, a variety offilters may be employed such as filters constructed of activated carbon,cellulose, etc. The provision of a filter results in rigidifying thedistal end 19a or mouthpiece so that inadvertent closing of the same bythe biting action of a resuscitator is elfectively avoided.

In the illustration given, the device has the crosssectional shape of aclosed, semi-oval, with the at side or wall being designated 27. Theupper or arcuate wall is designated by the numeral 28 (see FIG. 4). Theat Wall 27 is effective to bear against the tongue 14, while the upperwall 28 conforms generally to the hard palate 15. I have found that thisconstruction is singularly effective in restricting a victim fromswallowing his tongue. The proximal end a of the device 10 (proximalrelative to the victim), with the indicated taper, not only effects anopening of any windpipe constriction due to spasm, but also imparts avelocity increase to air entering the victims lungs which is helpful inmore rapidly expanding the victims lungs.

For optimum results, the device 10` should be constructed with apredetermined relationship between the lengths of the straight portion19 and the arcuate portion A20. The length of the straight portion 19involved is that inward of the mouthpiece flange 21, and the length ofthe arcuate portion 20, projected as at A, should be about 1.75 timesthe length designated B in FIG. l.

In FIG. 3, a package or container 29 is seen, which includes a pluralityof devices 10, these devices being designated by the numerals 30, 311,32 and 33. Each device is identical in shape and construction, but thedevices 30-33; are graduated in size. The graduation is applicable notonly insofar as length is concerned, but also insofar as thecross-sectional area is concerned. The container may be equipped withindicia such as at 34 so as to indicate to a user just what age or sizeperson the particular device is to -be used for. For example, the legendassociated with device 30 may read Large adult, the legend under device31 Medium adult, the legend under device 32 Chi1d, and the legend underdevice 33 Infant As such, the container 29 would be useful for a boatingfamily, backyard swimming pools, a Red Cross lirst aid kit, and forlinemen or other persons who encounter the danger of electrocution.Preferably, the container' 29 is equipped with a plastic window in itstop wall and i-s sealed against entry of bacteria and dust.

The resuscitator may position himself directly over the victim or at aslight angle to the victim so as to avoid any undue pressure on thevictims body. In inserting the device 10, the semi-rigid constructionpermits adaptation of the device to the differences in windpipe andmouth construction encountered in different individuals. Thelongitudinal and transverse edges of the device are rounded as at 35(see FIG. 4), and 36 (see FIG. 2), which effectively avoids anytraumatizing of the victims throat.

The semi-rigid nature of the device 10 permits ready flexing of thedevice so as to eject the filter 22, if desired. This can be appreciatedfrom a consideration of FIG. 5, Where the tabs 37 at the distal end ofthe device may be flexed under the-pressure exerted on the device 10 soas to eject the lilter 22. An apertured wall 38 is provided inward ofthe tabs 37, i.e., spaced more closely to the proximal end of the device10, so as to positively restrict movement of the filter 22 inwardly ofthe device.

While, in the foregoing specification, I have set forth a detaileddescription of an embodiment of the invention for the purpose ofillustration thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat many changes in the details of the construction given may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A resuscitator, comprising an elongated tubular element equipped witha fluid flow channel extending longitudinally therethrough, an openingat each end of said element communicating with said channel whereby allof the liuid entering one opening necessarily exits at the otheropening, said tubular element having a longitudinally arcuate portionadjacent one end and a longitudinally straight portion at the other end,Isaid one end being inwardly tapered, and a transversely-extendingflange mounted on said straight portion, said element being `generallyhemi-cylindrical in cross section to provide a flat side, the liat sidebeing adjacent the concave side of said arcuate portion.

2. A rescue breathing device, comprising an elongated pipe having a llatwall and an arcuate wall cooperating to define alongitudinally-extending lluid flow passage,

said pipe being constructed of semi-rigid material and equipped with alongitudinally curved portion at one end thereof, said pipe beinginsertable into the mouth and throat of a victim with the proximal endof the pipe positioned adjacent the victims trachea to ldilate the nasalpharynx, said proximal and being inwardly tapered, the distal end of`said pipe being straight and positioned below the uppermost point ofsaid arcuate portion, the length of said arcuate portion projected alongthe direc tion of said straight portion being about 1.75 times thelength of said straight portion, and a llange-equipped mouthpieceattached to said distal end and integral therewith.

3. A rescue breathing device, comprising an elongated pipe having a atwall and an arcuate wall cooperating to deline alongitudinally-extending fluid ow passage, said pipe being constructedof semi-rigid material and equipped with a longitudinally curved portionat one end thereof, said pipe being insertable into the mouth and throatof a victim with the proximal end of the pipe positioned adjacent thevictims trachea to dilate the nasal pharynx, said proximal end beinginwardly tapered, the distal end of said pipe being straight andpositioned below the uppermost point of said arcuate portion, the lengthof said arcuate portion projected along the direction of lsaid straightportion Vbeing about 1.75 times the length of said straight portion, a[lange-equipped mouthpiece attached to -said distal end and integraltherewith, a -rigid lilter removably mounted in said mouthpiece, andmeans in said mouthpiece secu-ring said filter in position.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,266,624 Ramsay May 21, 1918 1,786,350 Lambert Dec. 23, 1930 2,280,050Alexander et al. Apr. 21, 1942 2,537,674 Johnson Jan. 9, 1951 2,590,307Gibson u Mar. 25, 1952 2,995,131 Elam et al. Aug. 8, 1961 3,013,554Safar et al. Dec. 19, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 574,736 Canada Apr. 28, 1959

